Who is my neighbor?

This week actually had two questions, but we're going to focus primarily on the second. The young man who questions Jesus in Luke 10:25-37 wants to know what he needs to do to be saved, and Jesus turns it around on him- what do YOU think? His response: Love the Lord your God and love your neighbor as yourself. Jesus applauds this! Very good! But then the young man goes a bit further, wanting Jesus to confirm that "neighbor" can be a very small circle of people- and Jesus responds with the story of the Good Samaritan, asking "Which one of these was a neighbor to the man in need?" The young man can't ignore his point, even if he can't bring himself to name a Samaritan as the hero, and Jesus tells him "Go and do likewise."

So, who is YOUR neighbor? And how do you love him/her?

We started our discussion by watching two videos:

A Norwegian Social Experiment

and

An episode of "What Would You Do?"

Have you ever helped a stranger before? Several of you had stories that involved your family members taking action, but there were far fewer when we narrowed the question down to times YOU personally had made the decision to help. Why? It's easiest to help people who have an obvious, immediate need (like passing out in the grocery store), or people who are considered less able to help themselves (a lost child, an older gentleman who looks physically frail).

Have you ever chosen NOT to help a stranger before? Why? There are all sorts of reasons we might choose not to act:

• Too distracted or busy to stop- someone else will do it, I have really important things to be doing!
• Scared of the situation or of potential danger to yourself
• Scared of the TYPE of person needing help
• Scared of "stereotyping"- "I don't want that disabled person to think I pity him!"
• Not sure how to help or what to do
• Unable to help- but what about Linda in the "What Would You Do? episode?

 What are some ways you can help when you're not sure what to do?

• Remember that they are a human (Remember Linda giving the man the name "Billy" to give him a story and remind others that we're all relation to each other)
• Call 911 (if needed)
• Ask others to help
• Ask them what they need (if you can't give it, be prepared to offer alternatives)
• Be prepared!
• Look up some answers to scenarios you can imagine finding yourself in- that way, you'll have an idea of what the "correct" answer is in a nerve-wracking situation
• Practice how you'd respond
• Carry some small bills in cash (maybe even setting aside some money for JUSTINCASE)
•  Use your phone to look up solutions or know who you could call for help

Finally, just BE THERE and be aware. Talk with them, lend them the support of your presence. No one expects you to be able to fix everything, but honoring and acknowledging them can go a long way!

Scenarios (what could you do?):

1. You see a family in a store/restaurant that really looks like they’re struggling. What could you do?
   1. Interact with the kids (“I heard your mother ask you do something, can you tell me what that was?” or “Do you think that’s a good idea?”)- Use your judgement as to whether it's really needed, but this can remind everyone involved that others can see them
   2. If he/she is obviously frazzled, you can ask the parent if you can help them get anything, since you how hard it can be to keep everyone on task and you have a bit of extra time
   3. For any financial situation: Talk with a manager- “I’d like to put this towards their bill when they check out” makes your act of goodwill less confrontational and also less about you)
   2. You witness an accident where someone is/might be hurt
   1. Keep a phone on you or ask someone else to call 911
   2. If person is conscious, ask if there’s someone you can call for them
   3. Stay with them until (and sometimes even after) help arrives
   4. Remember that you don’t have to know what to do- you just need to be present. The only thing worse than being hurt and scared is to be that way without anyone around to help
   3. You hear someone saying something hurtful or mean (or even abusive). What do you do?
   1. Pay attention- don’t ignore it
   2. Step in, calmly, if it’s safe- call out racist, sexist, or otherwise biased language and behavior (“I don’t agree with what you’re saying, and it’s making me uncomfortable to hear you treat this person like that” or “I think you/what you’re doing is beautiful, and I hope you don’t let that person make you feel any differently”)
   3. If it's not safe or it's escalating, call 911- I’m witnessing an episode of abuse at this location
   
   5 Minutes of God Time: Multiplied by NEEDTOBREATHE